Lexington Utility Proposal to Adjust High Weather-Related Water Bills
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HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Lexington City Alderman held a special called meeting, Tuesday to consider adopting an ordinance change that would bring relief to some residents save money on their rocketing utility bills. City officials said the city has seen hundreds of frozen pipes with expensive repairs and at least eight main line water leaks during the frigid winter months. Lexington Mayor David Jowers presented the board with a proposal that he hopes will offer some relief. “We are anticipating some extremely high bills and we just want to try and help our customers,” Mayor David Jowers said. “We want to be fair.” As the current policy stands, officials said if there is an emergency leak utility customers are only allowed one adjustment to their water bill per calendar year. If the bill is $100 more than usual, the bill can be adjusted to that customer’s last highest rate. “I’m going to be asking that the bill only have to be $50 dollars more than the $100 dollars,” said Mayor Jowers. ” I’m going to ask the adjustment be made at $50 more than normal and that you be given two incidents instead of one.” Eddie Bray who is the Commander of Lexington’s VFW Post 1294, told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that the new proposal to have at least two adjustments per calendar year is a God send for customers who have experienced two back to back major water leaks. Lexington’s VFW building experienced it’s second major water line break when the building’s pipes burst earlier this month. “We’d like to see it twice a year not just for us but there is a lot of people struggling to pay bills and times is hard for everybody,” said Bray. ” It’s been a lot colder than it has been ya know we haven’t seen these kind of temperatures in a while.” The ordinance passed it’s first reading. The second reading is scheduled to be heard at the next city board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 4. “When you have an increase of $50 to $75 dollars and you are on a fixed income… this can make the difference on having food on the table or having water in the house,” said Mayor Jowers. ” We just want to be fair and we want to be more than fair during abnormal conditions.” Mayor Jowers said the new policy would apply only apply to major water leaks during the weeks of Jan. 5 and Jan. 27. For bill adjustments to be made, all leaks must be reported by March 15. Utility officials are also asking customers to update their emergency contact information with their water company, in case any water line breaks occur.
